Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

I will answer Deputy Gormley's questions in sequence. The Government took a decision on 6 July 2004, to participate in this agency. Every other government in Europe is participating with the exception of Denmark, according to my information. I presume the Attorney General attended that meeting, although it was before my time in Government. I presume he would have advised the Government if it was doing anything illegal.

As regards the debate in the House, there is a number of things an Administration can do, without the requirement for a debate in the House. Sometimes matters which do not warrant debate may be decided by the Government if there is not sufficient time. The Deputy can appreciate the pressure of time in the House. I respectfully suggest to him that if he wants a debate Private Members' time is an obvious mechanism to use.

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